Total comfort hard hat systems

ABSTRACT

A fan cooled and heated hard hat system comprising an outer safety shell with louvers in the top of the dome, a removable fan, a removable heating pad, and a screen system having an upper and a lower screen for placing the removable heating pad between when desired by a user-wearer. The fan is mountable to the interior dome of the shell with the propeller of the fan between the screen system and the louvers such that ambient air is drawn through the louvers via the fan and forced through the screen system about the user-wearer&#39;s head. The hard hat system cools the user-wearer&#39;s head when the heating pad is not in place and heats the user-wearer&#39;s head when it is in place.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/429,487, filed Jan. 4, 2011 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of hard hats and more specifically relates to a fan cooled and heated hard hat.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hard hats have long been required by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration in industries that require employees to work in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns. Most industries have adopted their own set of safety rules governing hard hats but self imposed rules are nearly always more stringent than federal guidelines. This means that employees working in these industries are usually required to wear a hard hat for most of their workday regardless of the weather conditions.

It is known that soldiers adapted and used helmets for head protection going as far back as military records have been kept. Originally helmets were metal, but as they changed from military use to industrial use, they evolved to later be constructed mainly out of fiberglass. Now the standard is hardened and reinforced plastic in order to reduce the weight that a person has to carry with the muscles of the neck. The duration that a person must wear a hard hat has only gotten longer due to the current legal conditions. The factor that has never changed much since the time of early military helmets until now is the negative aspect of heat build-up in the summer and cold air in the winter. It has long been believed that the safety provided by a hard hat far outweighed the discomfort of extreme temperatures.

By design, an air space is created between the crown straps and the inner surface of the shell. This air space around the crown of a person's head can be very cold in the winter; the very place that most heat leaves the body. In summer heat it can trap hot air because of the lack of air movement around the head and may contribute to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Safety factors dictate the design of hard hats which must meet American National Standards Institute Z89.1-1969 as determined by OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1926. It is highly unlikely that the general nature of hard hats will change any time soon and so an improvement in hard hat design that still conforms to federal regulations but yet provides greater wearer comfort from extreme temperatures is needed.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,561,862; 7,114,194; 6,760,925; 6,122,773; 4,893,356; and 2006/0248633. This prior art is representative of hard hats. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Ideally, a fan cooled and heated hard hat should provide greater user-wearer comfort in extreme temperatures and yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable total comfort hard hat system to cool the user in hot weather and warm the user in cold weather, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known hard hat art, the present invention provides a novel total comfort hard hat system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide greater protection and comfort in extreme temperature conditions.

The present invention, a fan cooled and heated hard hat system as disclosed herein in a preferred embodiment comprises a hard hat assembly having a shell, at least one ventilation louver, a fan with a propeller (blades) having a handle, a screen system having an upper screen and a lower screen, a detachable heating pad, and a powerer (powering means.) The ventilation louvers in the hard hat assembly are preferably located in the top of the dome of the shell. The ventilation louvers allow ambient air to be drawn into the hard hat assembly by the fan. The air-flow from the exterior of the top of the hard hat assembly passes through the screen system and may be distributed substantially evenly about the head of the user-wearer. The fan propeller is preferably located between the ventilation louvers and the screen system and is able to displace ambient air when the fan blades are rotating, being powered by a rechargeable battery pack or solar panel. The detachable heating pad is positionable between the upper screen and the lower screen when the hard hat assembly is used for instances when it is desirable to increase the temperature of the ambient air blown onto the head of the user-wearer.

The fan cooled and heated hard hat system is also usable to cool the head of the user-wearer when the detachable heating pad is not positioned (or activated) between the upper and the lower screens allowing air to pass through the screen system directly onto the user-wearers head and is thus usable to provide a user-wearer with a preferred temperature providing comfort and safety. The detachable heating pad comprises a packet of exothermic heat dispensing material allowing the temperature of the intake of air-flow to be raised by exteriorly passing over the outer surface of the detachable heating pad such that heated air distributes evenly about head of the user-wearer.

The fan comprises at least a low speed and a high speed which is controllable via a selector switch with at least a low speed position, a high speed position, and an off position and may be powered by a battery pack located within the handle of the fan, the handle serving also as a housing for a rechargeable battery pack. The fan may be removable from the hard hat and the handle of the fan may be usable to grip and hold to cool the face of the user-wearer (making it multi-purpose in-use.) The handle of the fan may also be arched to form fit an interior recess located in the dome of the hard hat assembly and may removably snap into the recess thereby making the fan cooled and heated hard hat system assembled for an in-use condition.

The direct flow of ambient air may not be substantially impeded by the handle of the fan or any of the other components. The direct flow of ambient air may be non-turbulent and flows relatively smoothly (laminar) about the interior of the dome of the hard hat since it has not sharp bends or edges acting as obstructions that would increase friction during flow. The dome of the hard hat assembly may be slightly raised to prevent touch contact between the fan, the screen system, and the detachable heating pad with the head of the user-wearer but in some embodiments may not be slightly higher but have the appearance of a standard hard hat. The upper screen and the lower screen are positioned substantially parallel to each other and secured adjacent to the fan such that the intake of air-flow travels through the ventilation louvers via the fan and then through the upper screen and lower screen.

The upper screen and the lower screen are arch-contoured to form-fit an interior surface of the dome of the hard hat assembly with the lower screen preferably having pins affixed perpendicularly to it that insert through rings affixed on the perimeter of the upper screen and snap into receiving holes in dome of the hard hat assembly. Other equivalent securing means may be used. The detachable heating pad may be arched to form-fit a space between the upper screen and the lower screen. The detachable heating pad may be friction-received in between the upper screen and the lower screen in a sandwich-layered relationship or may be a loose sack with an exothermic heat dispensing granular material, conformable to virtually any shape. The battery pack may comprise between 1.5 and 9 volts direct current and use rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries that power a motor controlled by the selector switch which is located on the inner arch of the handle of the fan where it is easily accessable by a user-wearer.

A method of use for a fan cooled and heated hard hat system is also described herein comprising the steps of: placing a detachable heating pad between an upper screen and a lower screen; switching a selector switch to a user-wearer desired position to activate a fan; placing a hard hat on a user-wearer's head; removing the hard hat when finished at least one wearing period; and turning the selector switch to an off position.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a total comfort hard hat system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, total comfort hard hat systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of a fan cooled and heated hard hat system with a ‘see-through view’ of the various components according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating another ‘see-through view’ of the components of the fan cooled and heated hard hat system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the components of the fan cooled and heated hard hat system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a fan of the fan cooled and heated hard hat system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use of the fan cooled and heated hard hat system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a hard hat device and more particularly to a fan cooled and heated hard hat system as used to improve the comfort of the wearer-user.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, an in-use condition of fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 with a ‘see-through view’ of the components according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 comprises hard hat assembly 110 having shell 120, at least one ventilation louver 130, fan 140 (with fan propeller 142 having handle 150), screen system 160 (having upper screen 162 and lower screen 164), detachable heating pad 170, and powerer 180. Ventilation louver(s) 130 in hard hat assembly 110 are preferably located in top of dome 112 of shell 120 of hard hat assembly 110; ventilation louver(s) 130 allow ambient air to be drawn into hard hat assembly 110 by fan 140. Fan propeller 142 may preferably be located between ventilation louver(s) 130 and screen system 160 and when powered by powerer 180, fan propeller 142 may be able to displace ambient air.

Detachable heating pad 170 is positionable between upper screen 162 and lower screen 164 when a user-wearer 190 desires to use hard hat assembly 110 for increasing a temperature of ambient air blown onto a head of hard hat assembly 110. Fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 is usable to cool head of user-wearer 190 when detachable heating pad 170 is not positioned between upper screen 162 and lower screen 164. Heating pad 170 may comprise a resistance heater or heating packs (chemical means) or the like. Fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 is usable to provide user-wearer 190 a preferred temperature providing comfort and safety to user-wearer 190. Ventilation louver(s) 130 allow an intake of air-flow from an exterior of top of hard hat assembly 110 such that intake of air-flow passes through screen system 160 and is distributed evenly about a head of user-wearer 190.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view illustrating another ‘see-through view’ of the components of fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments detachable heating pad 170 may comprise a packet of exothermic heat dispensing material and the temperature of the intake of air-flow is raised by exteriorly passing over an outer surface of detachable heating pad 170 such that heated air distributes evenly about the head of user-wearer 190. In other embodiments heating pad 170 may comprise other heating means.

Handle 150 of fan 140 removably snaps (or otherwise couples) into an interior recess located in dome 112 of hard hat assembly 110 and as such, fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 is thereby assembled and ready for an in-use condition. Handle 150 of fan 140 is arched (in profile) to form-fit interior recess 199 of dome 112 of hard hat assembly 110 and doesn't substantially impede a direct flow of ambient air because of its gradual curvature. Direct flow of ambient air is non-turbulent. Direct flow of ambient air is laminar. Dome 112 of hard hat assembly 110 is slightly raised to prevent touch contact between fan 140, screen system 160, and detachable heating pad 170 with head of user-wearer.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the components of fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Fan 140 is removable from hard hat assembly 110 and handle 150 of fan 140 is usable to grip and hold to cool a face of user-wearer 190 should user-wearer 190 desire. Upper screen 162 and lower screen 164 are positioned substantially parallel to each other and secured adjacent to fan 140 such that intake of air-flow travels through ventilation louver(s) 130 via fan 140 and then through upper screen 162 and lower screen 164. Upper screen 162 and lower screen 164 are arch-contoured to form-fit to interior surface 200 of dome of hard hat assembly 110. Lower screen 164 has pins 210 affixed perpendicularly to it that insert through rings 220 affixed on a perimeter of upper screen 162 and snap into receiving holes 230 in dome 112 of hard hat assembly 110. Detachable heating pad 170 is arched to form-fit a space between upper screen 162 and lower screen 164, detachable heating pad 170 friction-received in between upper screen 162 and lower screen 164 in a sandwich-layered relationship. Other suitable equivalent coupling/securing may be employed such as snapping, clipping, attaching and the like and will be considered to be within the scope of the present invention described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view illustrating fan 140 of fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

Fan 140 of fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 comprises at least a low speed and a high speed (other fan speeds may be used.) Fan 140 having the low speed and the high speed is controllable via selector switch 240 having a low speed position, a high speed position, and an off position and is powered by powerer 180. Powerer 180 comprises battery pack 182 located within handle 150 of fan 140, handle 150 also conveniently comprising a housing. Battery pack 182 is rechargeable and may comprise between 1.5 and 9 volts direct current. Non-rechargeable batteries may power fan 140 as well. Selector switch 240 is located on inner arch 250 of handle 150 of fan 140 such that selector switch 240 is easily accessed by user-wearer 190. Other powering means may be used.

Fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4, may be sold as kit 450 comprising the following parts: at least one shell 120, at least one screen system 160; at least one fan 140; at least one battery pack 182; at least one detachable heating pad 170; and at least one set of user instructions. Fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5, showing a flowchart illustrating method of use 500 for fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

Method of use 500 for fan cooled and heated hard hat system 100 may comprise the steps of: step one 501 placing detachable heating pad 170 between upper screen 162 and lower screen 164 (screen system 160 acting as a retainer means); step two 502 switching selector switch 240 to a user-wearer desired position to activate fan 140; and step three 503 placing hard hat assembly 110 on a head of user-wearer 190; step four 504 removing hard hat assembly 110 when finished at least one wearing period; and step five 505 turning selector switch 240 to an off position.

It should be noted that steps 501 and 502 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG.5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 500.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

1. A fan cooled and heated hard hat system comprising: a hard hat assembly comprising; a shell; at least one ventilation louver; a fan with a propeller and a handle; a screen system having an upper screen and a lower screen; a detachable heating pad; and a powerer; wherein said ventilation louvers in said hard hat assembly are located in a top of a dome of said shell of said hard hat assembly, said ventilation louvers allow ambient air to be drawn into said hard hat assembly by said fan; wherein said fan propeller is located between said ventilation louvers and said screen system, said fan propeller able to displace said ambient air when rotating, said fan powered by said powerer; wherein said detachable heating pad is positionable and retained between said upper screen and said lower screen when a user-wearer desires to use said hard hat assembly for increasing a temperature of said ambient air blown onto a head of said user-wearer; wherein said fan cooled and heated hard hat system is usable to cool said head of said user-wearer when said detachable heating pad is not positioned between said upper and said lower screens; and wherein said fan cooled and heated hard hat system is usable to provide a user-wearer-preferred temperature providing comfort and safety to said user-wearer.
 2. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 1 wherein said detachable heating pad comprises a packet of exothermic heat dispensing material and said temperature of said intake of said air-flow is raised by exteriorly passing over an outer surface of said detachable heating pad such that heated air distributes evenly about said head of said user-wearer.
 3. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 1 wherein said fan comprises at least a low speed and a high speed.
 4. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 3 wherein said fan having said low speed and said high speed is controllable via a selector switch having said low speed position, said high speed position, and an off position.
 5. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 3 wherein said fan is powered by said powerer, said powerer comprising a battery pack located within said handle of said fan, said handle comprising a housing.
 6. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 5 wherein said battery pack is rechargeable.
 7. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 5 wherein said fan is removable from said hard hat and said handle of said fan is usable to grip and hold to cool a face of said user-wearer.
 8. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 5 wherein said handle of said fan removably snaps into an interior recess located in said dome of said hard hat assembly, said fan cooled and heated hard hat system is thereby assembled ready for an in-use condition.
 9. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 8 wherein said handle of said fan is arched to form-fit said interior recess of said dome of said hard hat assembly and doesn't substantially impede a direct flow of said ambient air.
 10. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 9 wherein said direct flow of said ambient air is non-turbulent.
 11. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 10 wherein said dome of said hard hat assembly is slightly raised to prevent touch contact between said fan, said screen system, said detachable heating pad with said head of said user-wearer.
 12. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 11 wherein said upper screen and said lower screen are positioned substantially parallel to each other and secured adjacent said fan such that said intake of said air-flow travels through said ventilation louvers via said fan and then through said upper screen and said lower screen.
 13. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 1 wherein said upper screen and said lower screen are arch-contoured to form-fit an interior surface of said dome of said hard hat assembly.
 14. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 12 wherein said lower screen has pins affixed perpendicularly to it that insert through rings affixed on a perimeter of said upper screen and snap into receiving holes in said dome of said hard hat assembly.
 15. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 14 wherein said detachable heating pad is arched to form-fit a space between said upper screen and said lower screen, said detachable heating pad friction-received in between said upper screen and said lower screen in a sandwich-layered relationship.
 16. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 5 wherein said battery pack comprises between 1.5 and 9 volts direct current.
 17. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 16 wherein said selector switch is located on the inner arch of said handle of said fan such that said selector switch is easily accessed by said user-wearer.
 18. The fan cooled and heated hard hat system of claim 1 wherein said ventilation louvers allow an intake of air-flow from an exterior of said top of said hard hat assembly such that said intake of said air-flow passes through said screen system and is distributed evenly about said head of said user-wearer.
 19. A fan cooled and heated hard hat system comprising: a hard hat assembly comprising; a shell; at least one ventilation louver; a fan with a propeller and a handle; a screen system having an upper screen and a lower screen; a detachable heating pad; and a powerer; wherein said ventilation louvers in said hard hat assembly are located in the top of a dome of said shell of said hard hat assembly, said ventilation louvers allow ambient air to be drawn into said hard hat assembly by said fan; wherein said ventilation louvers allow an intake of air-flow from an exterior of said top of said hard hat assembly such that said intake of said air-flow passes through said screen system and is distributed evenly about said head of a user-wearer; wherein said fan is located between said ventilation louvers and said screen system, said fan propeller of said fan able to displace said ambient air when rotating, said fan powered by said powerer; wherein said detachable heating pad is positionable between said upper screen and said lower screen when said user-wearer desires to use said hard hat assembly for increasing a temperature of said ambient air blown onto a head of said user-wearer; wherein said fan cooled and heated hard hat system is usable to cool said head of said user-wearer when said detachable heating pad is not positioned between said upper and said lower screens; wherein said detachable heating pad comprises a packet of exothermic heat dispensing material and said temperature of said intake of said air-flow is raised by exteriorly passing over an outer surface of said detachable heating pad such that heated air distributes evenly about said head of said user-wearer; wherein said fan comprises at least a low speed and a high speed; wherein said fan having said low speed and said high speed is controllable via a selector switch having said low speed position, said high speed position, and an off position; wherein said fan is powered by said powerer, said powerer comprising a battery pack located within said handle of said fan, said handle comprising a housing; wherein said battery pack is rechargeable; wherein said fan is removable from said hard hat assembly and said handle of said fan is usable to grip and hold to cool a face of said user-wearer; wherein said handle of said fan removably snaps into an interior recess located in said dome of said hard hat assembly, said fan cooled and heated hard hat system is thereby assembled ready for an in-use condition; wherein said handle of said fan is arched to form-fit said interior recess of said dome of said hard hat assembly and doesn't substantially impede a direct flow of said ambient air; wherein said direct flow of said ambient air is non-turbulent; wherein said dome of said hard hat assembly is slightly raised to prevent touch contact between said fan, said screen system, said detachable heating pad with said head of said user-wearer; wherein said upper screen and said lower screen are positioned substantially parallel to each other and secured adjacent said fan such that said intake of said air-flow travels through said ventilation louvers via said fan and then through said upper screen and said lower screen; wherein said upper screen and said lower screen are arch-contoured to form-fit an interior surface of said dome of said hard hat assembly; wherein said lower screen has pins affixed perpendicularly to it that insert through rings affixed on a perimeter of said upper screen and snap into receiving holes in said dome of said hard hat assembly; wherein said detachable heating pad is arched to form-fit a space between said upper screen and said lower screen, said detachable heating pad friction-received in between said upper screen and said lower screen in a sandwich-layered relationship; wherein said battery pack comprises between 1.5 and 9 volts direct current; wherein said selector switch is located on the inner arch of said handle of said fan such that said selector switch is easily accessed by said user-wearer; and wherein said fan cooled and heated hard hat system is usable to provide a user-wearer-preferred temperature providing comfort and safety to said user-wearer.
 20. A method of use for a fan cooled and heated hard hat system comprising the steps of: placing a detachable heating pad between an upper screen and a lower screen; switching a selector switch to a user-wearer desired position to activate a fan; placing a hard hat assembly on a head of a user-wearer; removing said hard hat assembly when finished at least one wearing period; and turning said selector switch to an off position. 